Durbin sees tax reform as part of debt debate

1/6/13 9:52 AM EST

Republicans say the fight over taxes, decided in the fiscal cliff deal that raised rates on the rich. But Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin isn’t so sure, arguing that tax reforms should be on the table as Congress debates how to raise the debt ceiling.

“There are still deductions, credits, special treatments under the Tax Code that should be looked at very carefully,” the Illinois Democrat said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“We forego about $1.2 trillion a year in the Tax Code, money which otherwise would go to the government," he added.

“Trust me," he said, "there are plenty of things within that tax code, these loopholes where people can park their money offshore and not pay taxes, are things that need to be closed.”